Glacier National Park has launched a series on Native American artists and their connection with the park's landscape/NPS file

A weekly program of presentations by Native American artists has launched at Glacier National Park in Montana, with talks on the Native American connection to the landscape within the park.

The program, which began this week hosts tribal members Frank Finley, Valentina LaPier, and Leon Rattler. 

Frank Finley (September 7 – September 12)

Finley is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes from the Flathead Indian Reservation in Western Montana and teaches Native American Studies at the Salish Kootenai College.

Frank’s program on Thursday focused on the place called "Glacier" as a cultural resource and the historical activities of the Salish, Kootenai, Blackfeet People, and how it has shaped his art. 

Valentina LaPier (September 14 – September 19)

LaPier is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator who works with the Blackfeet Nation, Glacier National Park and the Metis Community. She is a board member of the Michif Heritage Keepers and Friends of the Plains Indian Museum and a recipient of the 2012 Blackfoot Art Awards in recognition of her contributions to Blackfoot identity, pride, and inspiration.

Valentina’s program at the Apgar Amphitheater at 6:45 p.m. on September 17 will be an acrylics demonstration that shows how Blackfeet culture and warriorism resonates in her art. Valentina draws from the past to create a historical experience for the present.

Leon Rattler (September 21 – September 26)

Rattler is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. He has 30 years of experience in American Indian Education, cultural curriculum development and tribal leadership. He is a member of many traditional societies including the Southern Blackfeet Crazy Dog Society. He is also a Sundance Leader, Beaver Bundle keeper, traditional artist and dancer, and Vietnam Veteran.

Rattler's program at the Apgar Amphitheater at 6:45 p.m. on September 22 will be an exploration of holistic healing through the arts. He will take the environmental surroundings and use social, emotional, physical, and mental awareness to connect the participants to the spirit of self. To Leon, art is where the earth meets the sky, the relationship with color, time of day, seasons, how it makes us feel, and how it heals us.

The Native America Speaks program began in 1982 and is the longest running indigenous speaker series in the National Park Service. These evening programs and cultural presentations provide opportunities for local tribal members to share their rich history and culture through singing, storytelling, presentations, and hands-on learning.

The Native America Speaks Artist-in-Residence pilot program is an extension of the Native America Speaks program. The week-long residencies will highlight local Native American Artists, their artistic disciplines, and their culture. Depending on COVID-19 mitigations required by the NPS, which change in response to CDC and local guidelines, presentations may look different in September. The safety of the selected Artists-in-Residence and the public is paramount. Digital images of selected work produced as a part of the residency may be used in park publications, websites, and presentations for education and outreach.

All Native America Speaks programs are made possible through a generous donation from the Glacier National Park Conservancy.